Snoopy Made Me Buy a Drink

 Yes, putting Snoopy on a can made me try Milkis, a South Korean drink that combines soda with milk.  The idea of milk in a drink sounds pretty gross, but being the Peanuts loving fan that I am I had to try it.  While drinking it yesterday I realized that the taste was familiar.  It reminded me of Italian soda!  And what's Italian soda?  Cream and soda.  Heh.  So I guess milk in a fizzy drink isn't so bad after all.

Though, sort of the same topic, I love how cool Snoopy is in Asian countries.  It surprised me during my two visits to Japan, expecting to see Mickey everywhere, which he kinda was, but Snoopy was more visible.  Love that dog. :0)

Seeing Beautiful Trees at the Festival of Trees in Sandy, Utah

A few weeks ago I went to Sandy with my Mom and some of my siblings.  We looked at the Festival of Trees, which happens every year right at the end of November going into December.  I've never been, but have heard so many wonderful things about this festival.  It's so inspiring!  Individuals, families, businesses decorate trees and provide gifts from their own pockets, then people come bid on them to buy the trees and gifts in each package.  All money raised goes to the Primary Children's Hospital.  So cool.  And there were so many festive trees.  Here are some of my favorites.

 My brother Steven's work did the above tree.  He wrapped the gifts.

Merry Christmas!! :D

Just a Little Inspiration from Snoopy: It's not about the ROAR

Ah Man!!

So, I've been struggling here and there.  No shocker.  I've talked about it here on this blog from time to time.  More recently I've returned to music composition, and it's been frustrating.  I could go on and on, but I won't, though this last week my lack of confidence got the better of me.

My Mom went to Hobby Lobby and bought me a couple Snoopy inspirational art pieces, one saying "be FEARLESS" and the other "Be A Warrior."

For a couple days it seemed all these videos and stories started popping up on my Facebook feed about never giving up and that becoming good at something is a day by day thing, not all at once.  Cried a couple times because of it.

And suddenly I visualized a glass of water, realizing that each glass is a combination of water drops, and without each water drop the glass wouldn't be full.  It takes all the electrons, neutrons, and protons in their proper order, repeated over and over again.

And then I found this quote:

"Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." ~ May Anne Radmacher

If you're struggling with something don't feel bad about it.  Don't be afraid to try again.  Have courage.  Be a Warrior!  Be Fearless!

I'm going to keep facing my demons, aka fear.

Drop by Drop.

Remembering Halloween With McDonald's Candy Pails

 When I was a kid I remember when McDonald's came out with the Halloween Candy Pail in the mid-1980's.  I especially remember when the trio of McGoblin, McGhost, and McWitch came out.  Three pails looking like a ghost, a witch, and a pumpkin.  I loved the witch, she was my favorite.

I remember several Halloweens when I went out trick-or-treating with one of these pails.  I also have a memory of the handles not being terribly sturdy, much to my candy loving dismay.

This past week on a trip to McDonald's during a Big Mac craving spree I discovered this years Halloween pail theme: It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, in honor of its 50th anniversary.

They're so cute!!!

There's two pails, one with Charlie and Snoopy and the other with Linus and Snoopy.

 I love the handles.

And the handles are sturdy, too.

Each meal even comes with cute stickers.

Happy Halloween!!

I have candy duty tonight, as always.  -_-;;

My Japanese Treasures

 What's the point of going on a trip if you don't bring back a few treasures?

I bought a lot of gifts for my family.  Every time I bought something special, there was a box to go with it.  My little duffel bag was packed full, mainly with gifts.  I did buy a few Kokeshi dolls on Enoshima, which I collect.  And the Mickey Mouse bowl came from Tokyo Disney Sea.

 I found these cute toys on Enoshima as well.  I love this Hello Kitty, and the little bunny under Autumn leafs represent the fact that I visited in October.

 I got these from the shrines I visited.

 And this Snoopy came from a character shop.  I love how popular Snoopy is in Japan.  I saw Snoopy goodies and items everywhere I visited.

 Kiki's Delivery Service playing cards :0)

 And I found this really cool charm on the Tokyo Skytree.

This is my favorite item I bought.

The interesting thing about Tokyo was how every place I visited offered to wrap each individual item I was gifting in a big.  They simply asked "gift?" and away they went, which made gifting very nice and special, only I had to open each bag to know what was inside.  A couple stores even gave me extra bags with sealing stickers.

And this is it!  The last of my Japan posts!

Snoopy Dance :0)

The Peanuts Movie, mini movie review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I remember with great somberness holding the last published Peanuts comic in my hands on February 13, 2000, the day after Charles M. Schulz died.   It was a shock.  It was bittersweet reading his farewell so soon, months after he announced his retirement.  And I wondered if there would ever be another Peanuts anything with his passing, and if so, would I like it?  Would it be faithful?

There were some hits and misses since 2000.  I Want a Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown, 2003, is adorable.  Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, 2011, was just depressing and completely missed the mark.

Then I heard there would be a computer generated Peanuts Movie released to theaters, and I was instantly nervous.  How could they do Charlie Brown and the gang in 3D?  It felt like such a departure from Schulz.  It felt like the Peanuts would be too modern.  And then I saw the teaser trailer the studio released last year and felt reassured that this new version might turn out well.

When I finally saw The Peanuts Movie a few weeks ago, I loved it!!

The style is cute, and still pays tribute to the characters original 2D selves.  And I love how the movie still found a way to show a classic Black and White comic segment.  A great tribute to Charles M. Schulz.  I love the cute humor which was balanced with Charlie Browniest moments.  I love the cute little visual gags on the screen's side.   I love how classic Peanut moments like Snoopy fighting the Red Barron and his love for Fifi were shown.

But overall I love the optimistic message of this movie, about not giving up and finding the courage to do hard things.

The Peanuts Movie is one of those rare kid movies that appeals equally to children and adults alike.

After all this praise, maybe I'm being biased, because I'm a lifelong Peanuts fan.  But honestly, because I'm such a fan I'm very picky. (I've only seen Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown once, and vowed, after first seeing it, to never watch it again.)

This movie is now one of my brother Robbie's favorite top movies, and he can't wait to buy it.

I can't wait to see this movie again.

MPAA: G

Attack of the Cookie Monster Brownie

"Cookie Monster Brownie: These brownies are studiously put together WITHOUT EGGS so that they can be handled without refrigeration.  These brownies are EXTREMELY RICH and have a tendency to cause cookie monster syndrome.  (WARNING: these brownies are so delicious that some people grow blue fir and begin saying "OMNOMNOM" whenever they eat them.)

This is my giggle for the week.

I found these at the BYU Creamery on 9th, on a trip with my Grandma to get yummy ice cream.  (Seriously the best.)  What's even more funny is that I haven't been to the BYU campus in well over a year, so I used Google Maps to help me find the store.  The program steered me wrong!  I kept getting lost.  It led me to a dead end.  At one point I suddenly found myself at the Provo temple.  They've built up the campus quite a bit, and Google Maps is currently out of the loop with these changes.

My Grandma kept laughing . . . at me!

But we found the Creamery, and I shall never get lost trying to find the store again.

 I'm sure Snoopy would approve of these Cookie Monster Brownies.

I didn't get one, instead opting for yummy chocolate brownies and a scoop of chocolate nut brownie ice-cream.  Super OMNOMNOM worthy.

Of course too much indulgence will lead to this:

But a little treat now and then isn't just warranted, but necessary :0)

(Images from the Hallmark book "Have Another Cookie (It'll Make You Feel Better".)